Carnations and their meaning

History of the popular perennial

The culture of carnations has a very long tradition in our countries: The first cultivated forms were already widespread in many places in the times of the Crusaders - i.e. in the high Middle Ages. At that time, however, they were most likely not given any symbolic content, after all, the language of flowers only developed much later. However, it has been proven that from around the 15th In the 19th century, white carnations were viewed as a symbol of love and the marital union - at least in the civil society of that time.

Change of symbolism

During the French Revolution, the red carnation became a symbol of noble resistance. Incidentally, paradoxically, of all people, the French socialists adopted the symbol: From then on, a red carnation in the buttonhole was regarded as a symbol of recognition for the workers' movement. This was also done extensively in the former GDR on Labor Day - 1. May was always lavishly celebrated in the formerly socialist East Germany - announced when the participants in a demonstration traditionally wore a red carnation in their buttonhole. The 1968 student movement, on the other hand, saw the carnation as a symbol of bourgeoisie and bourgeoisie that had to be overcome.

Give away cloves

Traditionally, the different colors of carnations have different meanings. As is so often the case, red carnations symbolize love and eroticism and white friendship and loyalty. Carnations can be given away on many occasions, such as birthdays, Valentine's or wedding days, Mother's Day, weddings and births.